Derry leave it late and Waterford’s familiar faces prove key – what we learned as the League of Ireland returned

New-look Derry City show signs of quality to overcome Sligo Rovers Every performance looks better in the shadow of a late winner, but in truth, there was no ignominy in a slow start for Derry City on Friday night against a stolid and settled Sligo Rovers. Investment and a statement of intent from billionaire chairman Philip O’Doherty have raised expectations at the Brandywell. James McClean, taking his first steps as a deep-lying central midfielder, is the face of Derry’s off-season efforts, but he is just one of 10 new faces in red and white stripes. Another is McClean’s brother, Patrick, who started at centre-back for Derry having lined out for their opponents in the second half of last...